Aeroplane.



A. F. W. MACMANUS.

AEROPLANE.

APPLwATmN .umm om'. m. 1909.

! SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

wm/TOR /W//cmaal harmy l mm I E Noms PETERS Co.. wmfmmmv, D. c.

A. P. W. MACMANUS.

AEROPLANE. APPLIoATIoN FILED 00T.19, 1909.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

3 SHEETS-BHEET 2.

INVENTOR WTNESSES C /Z/ M 1H: Hamers Psrlns co., wAsHrNcroN. n. e.

A. F. W. MAGMANUS.

AEROPLANE.

APPL-IOATION FILED 00T. 19, 1909.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ff QKMM AUGUSTUS F. W. MACMANUS, 0F SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

AEROPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1910.

Application led October 19, 1909. Serial No. 523,406.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS F. W. MAC- MANUs, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flying-machines and more particularly to heavier-than-air iiying machines.7

An important object of my invention is to provide a heavier-than-air machi e, embodying means, whereby the equilibrium of the same may be instinctively retained by the operator in the same manner as a person retains his equilibrium when riding a bicycle.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine of the above character, having means for retaining` its equilibrium, means for raising and lowering the machine without destroying the equilibrium of the same, and both of said means being actuated by a common means.

The final object of my invention is to provide a flying machine, which may be operated in currents of air, by a person who can ride a bicycle, and the equilibrium of which will be retained, whereby the machine will be highly efficient.

My invention consists generally of a machine embodying superposed planes, movable planes for raising and lowering the ends of said superposed planes to restore the equilibrium of the machine, means of raising and lowering the machine, and common means of actuating said movable planes, and said raising and lowering means together with suitable means for propelling the machine.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like numeral references are used to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of my machine taken on one side of the center thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective view of a modified form of one of the equilibrium-retaining planes and members associated therewith. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view, parts thereof being broken away, of the mechanism used to actuate the equilibrium retaining planes and the forward horizontal rudder. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the frame of my machine, showing the mann er of forming a joint. Fig. G is a perspective view of one of the joint plates used upon my machine.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention 1. and 2 designate main supcrposed planes which Iare arranged transversely' with relation to the course of flight of the machine. The superposed planes 1 and 2 have convexed upper surfaces and comprise rectangular frames 3 and respectively, which are connected upon their rear and forward edges by means of spaced vertical uprights 5 and (3 respectively. Upon the rectangular frames 3 and 4 are secured sections of fabric, such oiled silk or canvas, the same being secured thereto by any suitable means. The rear and forward vertical uprights 5 and 6 are connected to each other respectively, by means of diagonally arranged wires 7, said wires 7 being connected with the top and bott-om of said vertical uprights. By reference to Fig. 5, the specific manner in which each of the uprights 5 and 6 is secured to the rectangular frames 3 and 4 will be readily understood. As shown in Fig. 5 the upright G is arranged upon the upper surface of the forward edge of rectangular frame 4, and a joint plate 8, formed of some suitable metal such as copper, is bent around a strip forming the forward edge of said frame 4, and is secured upon said strip by means of a bolt 9 or the like. The joint plate S is secured to the uprights 6 by means of a bolt 10, and said plate 8 is provided with oppositely extending apertured cars 11 upon both ends thereof, for the reception of the ends of the diagonally arranged wires 7.

The superposed planes 1 and 2 are provided atI the ends thereof with the U-shaped brackets 12 and 13, which have their ends arranged within the central longitudinal aXes of said superposed planes 1 and Q., and said brackets 12 and 13 being in alinement with each other. The brackets 12 and 13 are rigidly held in place by means of the wires 14, which are connected to the corners of the planes 1 and 2 and to the ends of the vertical port-ions of said U-shaped brackets. In alinement with and equally spaced away from the vertical portions 1.5 and 16 of the U-shaped brackets 12 and 13, are arranged vertical uprights 17 and 18 respectively, between which and the adjacent U-shaped brackets are swingingly mounted the normally horizontal equilibrium retaining planes 19 and 20. rl`he equi]ibrium-retainlng planes 19 and 2() are pivotally mounted so as to oscillate upon their respective eentral longitinliinil axes.

The forward uprights (3 arranged at the ends of planes 1 and 2 are provided near the centers thereof with the swingingly mounted and oppositely arranged bell-crank levers 21 and 22, which are pivotally connected to the equilibrium retaining planes 19 and 2O by means of conl'lecting links 23 and 24 respectively. The bell-crank levers 21 and 22 have the lower ends of the vertical portions thereof provided with the horizontally arranged connecting links 25 and 26 respectively, which have their outer ends pivotally connected to said bell-crank levers and their inner ends pivotally connected to transversely arranged swinging levers 27 and 2S respectively which are rotatably mounted upon said uprights 17 and 18 and are pivotally connected at their rear ends by means of the rod or cable 29.

Arranged centrally of the forward edge of the lower superposed plane 2, is a controlling mechanism comprising a cylindrical body portion 30 carrying upon its upper end a reduced cylindrical portion 31 and forming with the same, at the said upper end, a shoulder 32. The cylindrical body portion 30 is pivotally mounted upon said lower plane 2 by means of a bracket 33 suitably secured to the same and comprising spaced ears 34 between which said cylindrical body portion 30 is arranged, and held in place by a bolt 35 passing through said ears 34 and said cylindrical body portion 30. The cylindrical body portion 30 is provided at the lower end thereof with the oppositely arranged members 36 having upwardly bent ends 37, and said members 36 being adapted to serve as foot supports for the operator, as will be explained hereinafter. Formeel integral with the members 36 and extending downwardly below the same are spaced ears 38 between which is pivotally mounted the inner end of the rod 39 adapted to actuate a raising and lowering rudder mechanism hereinafter to be described. Rotatably mounted upon the reduced portion 31 is a sleeve 40 the lower end of which engages the shoulder 32, and the upper end of which is provided with handle bars 41 provided with the hand grips 42. The reduced portion 31 extends upwardly beyond handle bars 41 and passing through washer 43 is provided upon its end with a nut 44, which prevents the displacement of sleeve 40 and handle bars 41. The sleeve 40 is provided at its lower end with a pulley 45 which is rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means, said pulley comprising spaced sides 46 within which is arranged a section of elastic material 47 for a reason to hereinafter be described. The horizontally arranged connecting links 25 and 26 are provided at their inner ends with cables 43 and 49 respectively, which in turn are connected to retractile coil springs 5() and 51 to which is secured a section of a flexible cable 52 wound about the pulley Ll5 between the spaced sides 46.

lt will be obvious by referring to Fig. 1 that if pulley 45 is rotated in one direction that the planes 19 and 2O will be swung in opposite directions to each other to present angular surfaces with relation to the course of travel of the machine. The planes 19 and 20, as shown in Fig. 1 are to be rigid and when the same are inclined they woll not be flexed. Then en'iploying the rigid planes 19 and 2O I have. found that it is only necessary to employ one bell-crank lever for actuating` the same. However I have found that it is sometimes advantageous to substitute for the rigid planes 19 and 20, planes formed as illustrated in Fig.

The equilibriuni-retaining plane illustrated in Fig. 3 comprises a flexible plane 53, formed of longitudinal rear and forward ribs and respectively connected by transverse ribs 55', said transverse ribs 55 tapering` toward their rear ends, whereby lane 55 has a. greater degree of flexibility toward the rear portion thereof. I provide plane 53 with the trunnions 56 which are in alinement with each other and arranged within the central longitudinal axes of the same, said trunnions 56 forming pivot points for the swinging of plane 53.

In order that plane 53 may be flexed when being swung in either direction, I employ a forward and rear bell-crank lever to actuate the saine, in place of the single bell-crank lever which is used to aetuate each of the rigid equilibrium retaining planes, as above described. The forward and rear bell-crank levers comprising vertical and horizontal portions 57 58 and 59 60 respectively, are pivotally mounted upon the forward and rear uprights 6 and 5 at the end of the planes 1 and 2. The forward bell-crank lever is provided with a horizontally arranged connecting link 61 which corresponds to the connecting link 26, said link 61 being pivotally connected to the swinging lever 62 correspending to lever 28, said lever 62 being pvotally connected at its rear end to a connecting link 63 which is pivotally connected to the vertical portions 59 of the rear bellcrank lever. The swinging lever 62 is pivotally mounted upon the upright 18 at a point nearer the forward end thereof, whereby when the forward bell-crank lever is actuated, the rear bell-crank lever will be actuated at a faster rate of speed and through a greater distance, for flexing plane 53. I may also construct the vertical portion 59 of the rear bell-crank lever shorter than the vertical portion 57 of the forward bell-crank lever, and I may further construct the horizontal portion 60 longer than the horizontal portion 58. I also construct connecting link 64 longer than connecting link 65. By the above explained construction of the forward and rear bell-crank levers, the rear edge of plane 53 will be moved at a quicker rate and through a greater distance than the forward edge thereof, whereby said plane 53 will be flexed and present a curved surface to the line of flight. I prefer to use this form of equilibrium-retaining plane upon a machine designed to carry heavy loads, and not designed for speed. I may also place the trunnions 50 nearer the forward edge of the plane 53, whereby the flexing of the same will be reduced. It is to be understood as above stated that I may substitute for the planes 19 and 20, planes similar to plane and the actuating members associated with the same.

The lower plane 2 is provided below the same with depending standards 6G which are secured to the forward and rear edges of the lower plane, and which are braced between each other by diagonally arranged rods 67. The standards 66 have secured to the lower ends thereof forwardly extending and upwardly curved spaced rods 68, which are connected at their forward ends by a transverse rod 69 which extends laterally beyond the same. The rods 68 extend rearwardly beyond the rear uprights 66 and are connected to the same by means of diagonal rods 70. Upon the ends of the transverse rod 69 is arranged an inverted U-shaped bracket comprising spaced sides 71, between and to which are pivotally connected the superposed horizontal rudder planes 72 and 73. Planes 72 and 73 are flexible and are pivoted to the spaced sides 71 so as to swing upon their central longitudinal axes. Each of the planes 72 and 73 comprises a central longitudinal rib 74, and transverse ribs secured thereto. The planes 72 and 73 have their corners connected by rods 75 pivotally secured thereto, and to which is pivotally connected operating levers 76. The operating levers 76 are rigidly mounted upon a horizontal shaft 78 which has its ends journaled within forwardly extending brackets 79 secured to the spaced sides 71. The pivotal oints of the operating levers 76 are there ore eccentric to the pivotal point of the planes 72 and 73, whereby when said operating levers are actuated the rear edges of the planes 72 and 73 will be actuated at a greater rate of speed and through a greater distance than the forward edges of the saine and said planes 72 and 73 will be flexed. The horizontal shaft 78 is provided near one end thereof with a depending arm 80 rigidly secured thereto, to which is pivotally connected the forward end of rod 39 above referred to. The curved rods 68 are supported by the inclined rods 81 which join each other at their rear ends and are secured to the upper plane 1, and which spread toward their forward ends and are secured to said curved rods 68 at spaced intervals as at 82. The curved rods 68 are further braced by inclined rods 83 which are joined opposite to the lower plane 2 at 84 and to said curved rods 68 at 85.

Between the horizontal rudder planes 72 and 73 and centrally thereof, is arranged a vertical half-moon shaped steering rudder 86 which has its ends pivotally mounted within the longitudinal strips 74. Secured to the rear curved edge of the vertical halfmoon shaped rudder 86 is a flexible member 87 which is trained around pulleys 88 secured upon the spaced sides 71 of the U- shaped bracket. Said flexible member 87 is further trained about pulleys 89 secured `upon uprights 90 which are arranged near and spaced away from the forward edge of the planes 1 and 2. The main planes 1 and 2 have their rear edges provided centrally thereof with alined brackets 91 and 92 within which are pivotally mounted upper and lower supporting rods 93 and 94 respectively carrying upon their rear ends the vertical rudder 95, which is pivotally connected to the same at 96 and 97 respectively. The forward end of the upper supporting rod 93 extends forwardly beyond the bracket 91 and is bent upwardly for engagement with the under surface of the upper plane 1, whereby the vertical rudder 95 is prevented from swinging downwardly out of the position shown in Fig. 2, and is free to swing upwardly from the same. The purpose of having the vertical rudder 95 so mounted as to swing upwardly, is to avoid the same being broken when the machine is making a landing from a flight. The lower main plane 2 is provided at the ends thereof with the vertically arranged brackets 98 which protect the machine when making a landing, if the same should descend in a tilted position.

The upper main plane 1 is provided centrally thereof with transversely alined brackets 99 within which is journaled the transverse shaft 100. rIhe transverse shaft 100 is provided near the middle thereof with a sprocket wheel rigidly secured thereon and upon which is trained a sprocket chain 101 which is also trained about a sprocket wheel 102 which is rotated by a suitable form of motor 103 arranged upon a central portion of the lower plane 2. The shaft 100 is provided upon the rear end thereof with sprocket wheels, upon which are trained sprocket. chains 104 and 105. The sprocket chains 104 and 105 extend in opposite directions and engage sprocket wheels 106 and 107 respectively which are rigidly mounted upon similar shafts 108 arranged at equal distances from the ends of the main planes l and the main planes l and 2 will be thus rel and 2 and upon the end of said shafts 10H are secured propellers 109. The shafts 10S ha vc the forward ends thereof jonrnaled through nprig'hts ll() and the rear ends thereof jonrnalcd through a bracket lll secured upon one of the uprights 'lhe sprocket chain ltlt is crossed whereby. the propellers 10) are rotated in opposite direction to each other and therefore the blades ot' each propeller are arranged at right angles to the blades of the other propeller.

.ls above stated uprights 9() are spaced away from the forward edge of the main planes l and 2 and this is done to allow a space for the operator. Between the nprights J0 is arranged a seat 112.

In the operation of my flying machine, the operator is seated within the seat i12 and places his feet upon the members -it `while. he holds the grips 42 of the handle bars l-1 in his hands. ltis obvious froni liigg. l. that if the operator desires to elevate the machine during its flight that he oseillates the controlling mechanisn'i comprising' handle bars 41, rearwardly or toward the machine, whereby connecting rod 3S) is forced ont forwardly and outwardly which in turn swings the arm SO foruf'ardly or outwardly for inclining' the planes 72 and 725 with their forward margins upward, thereby causing the machine to rise. It is worthy of note that should the machine lower itself too much forwardly the operator instinctively seeking' to maintain himself erect or his own equilibrium will incline his body7 rearwardly thus throwing' his weight more backward and seeking' his own safety he will naturally continue his grasp of the handle bars 11. and 42 carrying the handle bars rearwardly wit-h him and causing` the flyingv machine to rise forwardly. Should the machine rise too much forwardly it is obvious that the operator would instinctively lean forward pushing handle bars forward and carrying his weight more in a forwardly direction with the opposite result of tending' to Afause main planes l and 2 to be inclined downwardly and actuating the forward horizontal rudder at a descending angle. It is -well known that a. person riding` a bicycle and losing his balance to one side, say for instance to the right, will instinctively turn the handle bars to the right, whereby he might regain his equilibrium. The same principle .is carried out. in my machine. It while during' a flieht the main planes .l and 2 should become tilted, whereby for the sake of illust-ration we assume that the right hand ends of the planes l and 2 are lowered, the operator will instinctively rotate the handle bars to the right which will canse the right hand equilibrium retaining; plane to be swung upwardly and the left hand equilibrium plane to be swung downwardly turned to their normal horizontal position. lt is obviousl that if the planes l and 2 should be tilted to the left that the operator would instinctively rotate the handle bars lo the left and that the eql'lilibrium of the machine will he restored as above described.

liy reference to liie'. l, it will be obvious that when the controllingdevice com|' risi1'1gthe body portion tt), is oscillated toward or away from the operator lol' actuating the raising and lowering' rudder, the n'iovable planes 1t) and. 2t) will not be actuated. lt is therefore necessary that the cables 4S and 49 should be slackened to admit. of the oscillatory movement of the said controlling device. For this [mrpose l. have yemployed the retractile coil springs 5() and :'31 which'serve to take up shocks exerted by the air upon the planes lf) and 2t.) and also to slacken the cables 4S and l-Q as above stated. Instead of usinev the springs 50 and 531 I may employ elastic .section Lt7 arranged upon the pulley 4:3, or l may use the springs it] and 5l and the elastic section.

llavimgv fully described my invention what l claim is:

l. ln a flying,v machine, a gliding strnctnre, swinging planes to cooperate there- 7ith, swinging levers, means connecting` co1'- responding ends of said levers, a controlling device, means connecting` said controlling device with said swinging,Y levers. bell crank levers` connecting means between said bell cfank levers and said swinging' levers, and connecting' means between said bell crank levers and swinging planes.

2. In a flying machine, a gliding strncture, swinging' planes arranged near the ends thereof, swinging' levers arranged near said planes, means connecting' corresponding ends of said levers, a controlling device., a exible member to connect said controlling; device and swinging levers, bell crank levers pivotally connected with said swinging planesl` and links to connect said swinging levers with said bell crank levers.

In a flying machine, a gliding' structure, planes to prevent said gliding structure from beingT tilted laterally with relation to its course of flight, an approximately horizontally disposed plane to raise and lower the machine, swinging levers to cooperate with said planes, connecting' means between corresponding ends of said swinging levers, a controlling device, mounted to oscillate fore and aft with relation to said gliding structure, said controlling' device comprising a rotatable member, connecting means between said rotatable member and said swinging levers, bell crank levers, links to connect said bell crank levers with said swinging' levers, connecting means between said bell crank levers and swinging planes, and connecting means between said controlling device and said approximately horizontally disposed planes.

4. In a flying machine of the character described, superposed main planes arranged transversely to the line of flight, movable planes arranged at the ends of said superposed planes, bell-crank levers arranged near and connected to said movable planes, a rotatable device provided with a gripping portion and adapted to be permanently held by the operator during the flight, a pulley arranged upon said rotatable device, a section of elastic material ar 'anged upon lsaid pulley, a section of flexible material connecting said bell-crank levers and Wound around said pulley in engagement vvith said elastic section, and coil springs connected to said flexible member.

In a flying machine, a gliding structure, swinging planes to cooperate therewith, swinging levers to cooperate with said planes, means connecting said swinging levers to cause the same to move together when either is moved, connecting means between said swinging levers and planes to move said planes in opposite directions, and a device to effect the movement of said swinging levers.

6. In a flying machine of the character described, superposed planes arranged transversely to the line of flight, flexible planes arranged between and at the ends of said superposed planes, bell-cranlr-levers arranged near and secured to said flexible planes for inclining and flexing the same to the course of travel of the machine, a controlling device adapted to be actuated by the operator when the equilibrium of the machine is overcome, comprising a body portion mounted to swing transversely to said superposed planes, a rotatable sleeve mounted upon said body portion and provided With a gripping member, a pulley mounted upon said sleeve, a flexible member connected to said bell-crank levers and Wound about said pulley, a 'forwardly arranged horizontal rudder' device comprising superposed horizontal planes, operating levers pivoted concentric to the pivot points of said horizontal planes, means connecting said horizontal planes with said operating levers whereby the former may be inclined and flexed by the latter, means connecting said controlling device and said operating levers, a vertically arranged rudder disposed between said horizontal planes, and means for swinging said vertical rudder laterally for turning the machine from the straight line of flight.

7. In a flying machine of the character described, superposed planes arranged transversely to the course of flight, flexible planes arranged at the ends of said superposed planes, a bell-crank lever arranged near and connected to the forward and rear edge of each of said flexible planes, bell-crank levers being of different dimensions for actuating the rear edge of said flexible plane at a greater distance and at a greater velocity than the forward edge of the same, a swinging lever pivotally mounted nearer the forward edge of said flexible plane and pivotally connected to the forward and the rear bell-crank levers, a controlling device for actuating the forward bell-crank lever, and means connecting said controlling device and said last named bell-crank lever.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of tvvo Witnesses.

AUGUSTUS F. W. MACMANUS.

Vitnesses B. WV. TEAGARDEN, MCCOLLUM BURNETT. 

